Methods of
Note Taking
Cornell Method
Description
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Outline Method
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Pro’s
Draw line to separate a note
area and a question area
Skip lines between big ideas
Use bullets
Add questions/phrases in left
column
Write a summary at the end
on notes
Use column and summary to
help study
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The information which is most
general begins at the left
Indent to the right with each
more specific group of facts
No numbers, letters, or
Roman numerals are needed
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Con’s
When to Use
Organized and systematic
Built in study guide
Easy format for pulling
out major concept and
ideas
"Do-it-right-in-the-firstplace" system
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Must use STAR
system
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Any lecture
Reading and review
Well-organized system
Reduces editing
Easy to review
Turns main points into
questions
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Requires more
thought in class
for accurate
organization
May not show
relationships
Limited ways
to study from
Don’t try if the
lecture is too
fast
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The lecture is
presented in outline
organization
There is enough time
in the lecture to think
about and make
organization
decisions
You should already
be a strong notetaker if you want to
use outline method
Avoid in some
science classes such
as physics or math
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Sentence
Method
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Use short hand and
abbreviations to write
everything that is heard
Number as you progress
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Captures lots of info
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Exploratory Studies, University of Toledo, 2015
Hard to
determine
major/minor
points
Difficult to edit
without having
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Use when the lecture
is somewhat
organized, but heavy
with content which
comes fast
You can hear the
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Mind Mapping
Method
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Uses comprehension and
concentration skills
Relates each fact or idea to
every other fact or idea
Visual representation of the
lecture
Requires active participation,
understand the content, and
utilize critical thinking
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Great for visual learners
Relationships can easily
be seen
Easy to edit your notes
by adding numbers,
marks, and color coding
Review by covering lines
for memory drill and
relationships
Main points can go on
flash cards or study guide
at a later date
Adapted from http://www.sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl/notetakingsystems.html#outline
Exploratory Studies, University of Toledo, 2015
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to rewrite
Difficult to
review
Does not show
relationships
You may not
hear changes in
content from
major points to
facts
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different points, but
you don't know how
they fit together
The instructor tends
to present fact by
fact
The lecture content is
heavy and wellorganized
When you have a
guest lecturer and do
not know how the
info is going to be
presented
Can be used as a
review to understand
how topics fit
together